Judge shocked by internet troll’s abuse

A judge described himself as shocked by messages sent by an internet troll to a former girlfriend.

District Judge Jeff Brailsford said the messages posted by Connor Walkden to his ex were “premeditated and guaranteed to have an impact.”

In one message, Walkden said he hoped his ex’s mother, who was suffering from cancer, died from the illness.

In another, Walkden threatened to pay someone to rape a family member of his former girlfriend.

Other posts stated Walkden would distribute naked pictures of his ex.

Walkden, 22, of Avenham Grove, North Shore, pleaded guilty to harassment when he appeared at Blackpool Magistrates Court.

He was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision, fined £50 with £60 victims’ surcharge and ordered to pay his ex £150 compensation.

Walkden was also put on a two-year restraining order which bans him from contacting his ex except through her sister concerning child contact and not to enter his former girlfriend’s home street in Blackpool.

Mr Brailsford said: “It is a long time since I read Facebook messages with such awful content in them.

“I thought I was pretty unshockable, but I was shocked by these messages. They were disgusting.”

In a victim’s statement, Walkden’ s former girlfriend said: “He is making my life a misery and those of the people around me.”

Allan Godwin, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had not been able to deal with the collapse of the relationship because of his immaturity and his use of cannabis.